By Associated Press<\/p>\n
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 | 3:21 p.m.<\/p>\n
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Two of 17 members of a missionary group who were kidnapped more than a month ago have been freed in Haiti and are safe, in good spirits and being cared for, their Ohio-based church organization announced Sunday.<\/p>\n
Christian Aid Ministries issued a statement saying it could not give the names of those released, why they were freed or other information.<\/p>\n
While we rejoice at this release, our hearts are with the 15 people who are still being held,\" the group said.<\/p>\n
The spokesman for Haiti's National Police, Gary Desrosiers, confirmed to The Associated Press that two hostages were released on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The missionaries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on Oct. 16. There are five children in the group of 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian, including an 8-month-old. Their Haitian driver also was abducted, according to a local human rights organization.<\/p>\n
The leader of the 400 Mawozo gang has threatened to kill the hostages unless his demands are met. Authorities have said the gang was demanding $1 million per person, although it wasnt immediately clear that included the children in the group.<\/p>\n
The release comes as Haiti struggles with a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings, with the U.S. government recently urging U.S. citizens to leave Haiti amid deepening insecurity and a severe lack of fuel blamed on gangs blocking gas distribution terminals. On Friday, Canada announced it was pulling all but essential personnel from its embassy.<\/p>\n
The fuel shortage has forced hospitals to turn away patients and paralyzed public transportation, with some schools closing and businesses shortening their work hours.<\/p>\n
Haiti also is trying to recover from the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck in mid-August, killing more than 2,200 people and destroying tens of thousands of homes.<\/p>\n
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US missionaries say 2 of 17 abductees freed in Haiti - Las Vegas Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Associated Press Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 | 3:21 p.m Continue reading